Manchester United star David de Gea is considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League at the moment, but back in the 2011-12 season he was struggling.

The Spain international had joined the Red Devils from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011, and arrived at Old Trafford with a big reputation and with the aim of successfully replacing Edwin van der Sar.

De Gea’s United career did not start well, as his mistakes and shaky confidence saw him severely criticised by the media and fans alike.

However, it was the Spaniard who helped United pick up a point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on February 5, 2012.

United had come from 3-0 down to make it 3-3 as the game headed into injury time. Juan Mata stepped up to take a free kick in the first minute of added time from 25 yards.

The Spain international attacking midfielder’s well-measured effort was arrowing into the top right-hand corner of the United goal until De Gea made a flying save, using his right hand to turn it away.

It was that save from his compatriot, now at United, that restored De Gea's confidence in himself, as he told Inside United: ‘This is one of my best moments.

‘That save helped me a lot. Juan and I have talked a lot about it! There were difficult moments for me (at that time) but this save gave me a lot of confidence. They are always special games against Chelsea and I always enjoy playing against them’.

United are in action against Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League later this month, and De Gea will once again be looking to make the saves required to help Louis van Gaal’s side pick up all three points.

Subhankar Mondal

A football journalist based in Wakefield, Subhankar Mondal has previously worked for Goal.com International and Skysports.com, and has had his sports articles published in The Guardian and The Observer. He has also been on the BBC in the past and his name once found its way to the pages of the World Soccer magazine. He was recently cited in a major Louis van Gaal biography.